Written by Jayson Baxter
Background Checks | September 21, 2023
Table of Contents
A Home Depot background check is requested to field potential employees, but figuring out how pre-employment screenings work for one of the largest home improvement chains in the nation can prove challenging because the information is spread across the web.
Luckily, anyone can see what shows up on a background check done by Home Depot by filling out the form here.
And for those wondering the remaining ins-and-outs of the Home Depot screenings, we consolidated everything you need to know such as:
So before signing any forms or worrying about the results, be sure you exactly how it works and what not to do in order to ensure the process is as smooth as can be.
The type of background check conducted depends on the position in the conditional offer of employment.
Home Depot background checks typically include local, state and national records to look at criminal convictions and disqualifying offenses, and includes a pre-employment drug screening (particularly for positions that require use of heavy equipment such as a forklift).
Specialized positions may also include an education or licensing verification.
Background checks must be in compliance with all state and federal laws, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provides guidance on how to conduct lawful screenings.
Positions of greater responsibility include a credit history report to make sure the candidate is fiscally responsible. This includes store managers, regional managers, executives which are responsible for overall operations and profits for the company.
Overall, Home Depot will be looking at criminal convictions and employment verification for most positions.1 This can also include a fingerprint based, level 2 background check due to the nature of the position.
Home Depot can request one of two different types of drug tests for candidates. The first type is a swab test which takes a saliva sample from inside the mouth. The second is a urine test. Each test is designed to see if the candidate has used any illegal substances in the recent past.1
Home Depot background screenings also look for employment verification and certification or licensure verification for positions that require certain certificates or qualifications. For example, a forklift operator must have a specific license in certain states to operate one as part of Home Depot employment.
Certain positions may also require education verification as well. While some positions at Home Depot do not require a high school diploma, and the company does hire high school students that are old enough to work or have a valid work permit, some positions such as management require a minimum of high school education.
Executive level positions require post high school education and education verification is part of the screening process.2
Independent contractors that do affiliate installation work through Home Depot must also undergo a background screening to search for licensure verification and criminal history.3
Finally, Home Depot may also do a reference check in addition to the employment verification for positions that carry greater responsibility. This can include speaking with former coworkers, educators or others listed as references in a person’s resume.
Knowing what Home Depot is looking for will help a person prepare for the next step which is submitting information for the screening.
A background check with Home Depot is not conducted until a conditional offer is on the table; therefore, the application process does not include questions about criminal history.
The screenings are name-based level 1 background checks and require the consent of the individual before it is completed. If a person does not consent to a background screening, Home Depot will rescind the job offer.
Home Depot also requires employees pass a pre-employment drug screening as part of the background check process for positions that require use of heavy equipment such as forklift operators.
Some employees may not be sent for a drug screening as part of the process, but Home Depot reserves the right to conduct a drug screening.
Additionally, drug screening may occur after employment with Home Depot if the worker is injured on the job or there is credible indication of substance abuse on the job.
To complete the background check, the following steps must be completed:
Step 1: The candidate submits an online application for employment confirming they are aware a pre-employment drug screening is required in addition to a background check.4 The application requires the individual’s full name, date of birth, social security number and contact information.
The application will also inquire about previous work history and educational background. The application will not include questions about criminal history because Home Depot is a ban the box supporter.
Step 2: Home Depot will schedule an initial interview. If the interview is successful, the candidate moves to the next step in the process which includes a background screening.
Step 3: Home Depot can make a conditional offer after the initial interview or schedule a second or third interview, and will conduct a name-based background check at this phase.
The candidate must provide a full legal name, date of birth and social security number, and will be provided with an online link to the third-party provider that completes the screening.
Home Depot can also schedule a pre-employment drug screening with a local provider, or the drug test can be held off until training and orientation are scheduled.
Can someone run a background check without my permission for a Home Depot job? No, Home Depot background checks require the subject’s consent before it can be completed.
Step 4: Once the results of the background check and drug tests are returned to Home Depot, the hiring manager will make a final decision to either schedule the new hire for training and orientation or to rescind the job offer due to the information in the background check.
If the adverse action is due to the background report, written notification will be presented to the candidate for the reason for the adverse action and how they can dispute the matter.5
Step 5: If a person feels they have been unlawfully discriminated against based on the background report, they can reach out to the state department of labor or attorney general’s office or make a formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
While it seems like a lot of steps, the background process does not take a great deal of time in most cases.
The amount of time for a Home Depot background check depends on how extensive the check is and what is being checked or verified. Below is an average timeline for completion of a screening:
Overall, the results of a Home Depot background check should not take more than a week to fully complete.
Most background checks are completed in a week or less; however, there are several reasons a background screening can be delayed, including:
The amount of information required for a Home Depot background check will determine how long the report will take to generate. When there are delays, the company will notify the applicant of the delay and an estimated timeline for completion of the screening. Home Depot may also request additional information for greater clarification of items on the report.
A Home Depot pre-employment screening is primarily looking at a person’s criminal history to see if there are any disqualifying convictions. Therefore, misdemeanor and felony convictions will appear on a Home Depot background check. Additionally, if the position requires driving a motor vehicle or operating heavy equipment, the screening will include a driving history report.
Warrants may also appear on a background check for Home Depot since they are court documents and considered public record. Can you pass a background check with a warrant when applying at Home Depot?
It is possible to pass a background check with an outstanding warrant even if it shows up on the background check; however, it would be best to get the matter disposed of in court prior to applying for a job at Home Depot to avoid any further complications when the warrant is executed.
Do background checks show out of state convictions when completed for a Home Depot position? Yes, they do include local, state and national convictions; however, Home Depot only looks at the previous seven years when doing screenings even if the state allows a longer lookback period.
For positions that require money management, a credit history report will also be included. Credit history is a requirement for c-suite, or executive level, screenings due to the increased responsibilities.1
Results of the pre-employment drug screening will also be part of the background check for Home Depot. Prior employment verification and verification of licensure or certifications when required will also be part of the final report.9
Can a juvenile record be used against you in a Home Depot background check? No, juvenile records regardless of whether they are felony or misdemeanor convictions are sealed and not part of a public record.
Home Depot is what is considered a second chance employer and does hire individuals with misdemeanor convictions. As a fair chance employer, most misdemeanor convictions are not automatic disqualifiers for a position with Home Depot.10
How long does a misdemeanor stay on your record and show up on a Home Depot background report? Misdemeanor convictions can stay on a person’s record indefinitely unless they are expunged or sealed, but Home Depot limits the lookback period to seven years in most cases.
When looking at employment verification as part of the report, does getting fired go on your record? Getting fired can show up on the report if the person was fired if the report is being conducted in a state that allows disclosure of why a person was terminated from a job. Employment verification is part of the background check process for Home Depot.
As with misdemeanor convictions, Home Depot does hire individuals with a felony conviction except for certain types of offenses. Home Depot is a supporter of the Ban the Box movement meaning it has removed questions about felony and misdemeanor convictions from its applications and does weigh prior charges carefully when making hiring decisions.5
How long does a felony stay on your record? Felony convictions, like misdemeanors, can stay on your record indefinitely, and some felonies are not eligible for sealing or expunging.
If a person has a felony conviction, speaking with human resources at the beginning of the process about the circumstances may prevent the charges from being a disqualifier when making hiring decisions.
When looking at a person’s criminal conviction history, Home Depot is looking to see if the candidate is a safety risk to customers and other employees, or if there is a risk of loss from theft.
Therefore, disqualifying offenses are typically those that can increase risk and liability. The following list are disqualifiers for working at Home Depot:
Home Depot also looks at the overall criminal history of the person. For example, if a conviction for an assault was several years ago, and there are no other convictions, the person may still be hired due to the length of time that has passed with no other convictions.5
Home Depot uses the same seven year lookback rule in most cases imposed by the FCRA for credit history when it comes to criminal history.
The length of time searched is dependent upon the state in which the Home Depot position is located. There are currently 13 states that have a seven year look back period codified in law.
These are:
Other states have not imposed a seven year lookback period, but Home Depot has adopted seven years as its standard. In states without a limit, the decision is up to the hiring manager.
Employment and education verifications can stretch back more than seven years as well since that information is not as likely to have an adverse action as criminal and credit history.
Once the background check is complete, Home Depot will notify the candidate to either schedule orientation and training or to rescind a job offer.
If adverse action, such as removing a job offer, is taken the applicant is notified in writing with the name and address of the agency that performed the screening and the process to dispute any information that may be inaccurate.
The notification will also advise the applicant that the third-party search company simply provided the report and was not involved in the hiring decision process per FCRA requirements.
Notification will be made to the applicant as soon as the information is made available to the hiring manager. At that point, Home Depot will inform the applicant that the background check is complete, there were no red flags, and will schedule the person for orientation and training.
When a person is notified of adverse action taken, if they feel the report is inaccurate, they can reach out to Human Resources and try to resolve the matter.
If the report is used in a discriminatory manner to deny employment, the candidate can make a report with the department of labor in their state or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Home Depot does not do background checks in-house. The company hires an undisclosed third-party provider to conduct their screenings. Home Depot contracts with a third-party provider that must adhere to the rules and regulations set forth in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
The third party company must also follow the rules and regulations of each state where records are requested. For example, if records are requested from a state that has automatic relief for non convictions, the third-party provider must make sure no non-convictions are appearing on the Home Depot screening report.
There are steps a person can take to make sure they pass a Home Depot background check and Home Depot is a second chance employer, being honest about a criminal record when offered a position not only helps improve chances of being considered.
It also provides the applicant an opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction.11
If the person completed any rehabilitation programs or other interventions in connection with the criminal charges, showing Home Depot they successfully finished these programs can help mitigate any potential negative impacts.
The applicant needs to make sure they are drug free to pass a background check pre-employment drug screening. Seeking professional help and support for battling substance abuse can help someone gain and maintain sobriety and secure gainful employment at Home Depot.
Provide as much information as possible when requested to make the process go smoothly. Double check your submission to make sure you haven’t made any mistakes when providing your data.
Run a personal background check through a free criminal background check option available or a third-party search agency to see what shows up on record. This will help the applicant prepare for any potential negative marks on the report. A personal background report can also help a person learn if there is an outstanding warrant or other matter that needs attention.
A person can also get a free credit report from each credit reporting agency each year. Running a credit history can help those applying for positions that require a credit report prepare for what may appear.
Taking care of pending criminal matters before applying to Home Depot can help a person’s chances of employment.
Review driving records to see what shows up on it. This is especially important for positions with Home Depot that require use of a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. If a person has outstanding tickets or violations, taking care of these matters can help clear up a person’s driving record.
Check with previous employers to see what is on the personnel record at those locations. This can help prepare for any potential negative references a past supervisor may give. It is also a great way to verify the exact dates of employment for the application or resume.
Home Depot is a leading employer in the home improvement retail field. Knowing what it looks for in a background check, how to prepare for one and what to expect helps candidates land jobs. This free complete guide outlines what applicants need to know about a Home Depot background check.
Credit history is only completed for managerial or executive level positions due to their heightened responsibilities.
Since a domestic violence protective order is a civil action, it is unlikely it will appear on a criminal history check; however, there is a possibility it will be revealed in a deeper screening.
Home Depot has a zero tolerance policy for violence in the workplace, so a domestic violence order may be grounds to deny employment (especially if the other party works for that particular location).12 Does a restraining order go on your record?
Typically, they do not show up on basic record checks, but there is the potential for them to appear on fingerprint based screenings.
Home Depot does require job candidates undergo a background check which is conducted by a third-party provider contracted by the company.
Home Depot does drug test employment candidates either after the interview or during orientation and training (especially for positions that require use of a vehicle or equipment such as a forklift).
Drug testing is done via a mouth swab or by collecting a urine sample. Drug testing may also be conducted if a person has been hired and is injured on the job or the company suspects substance abuse on the job.
Home Depot primarily looks at criminal history when doing a background check, specifically violent offenses that can pose a threat to other employees or customers or criminal history that may indicate a risk of loss from theft.
Home Depot also looks for employment verification in background checks. Jobs with higher levels of responsibility may include a credit history and education verification as well.
Yes, Home Depot does require a background check on all independent contractors that provide professional installation services through Home Depot’s affiliate program. The background check looks at licensure as well as criminal history to make sure the contractor is legally able to operate in the area and does not pose a safety threat to customers.3
1 Everything you need to know about the Home Depot background check. (n.d.). Jobcase. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from <https://www.jobcase.com/articles/home-depot-background-check#can-you-do-your-own-background-check>
2 Shop Jobs at The Home Depot. (2021, May 12). The Home Depot Careers. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from <https://careers.homedepot.com/shop-jobs/>
3 Home Services Contractors. (n.d.). The Home Depot. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from <https://www.homedepot.com/c/SV_HS_Contractor_License_Numbers>
4 Log-in To Your Profile – Careers at Home Depot. (2022, September 9). The Home Depot Careers. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from <https://careers.homedepot.com/profile/login/>
5 Gomez, R. (2022, February 27). Does Home Depot do Background Check in 2022? [Updated]. Felons. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from <https://felonyfriendlyjobs.org/home-depot-background-check/>
6 What is Home Depot’s Drug Test Policy? – AisleofShame.com. (2022, July 23). aldi finds. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from <https://www.aisleofshame.com/what-is-home-depots-drug-test-policy/>
7 Cano, J. (2012, June 26). 7 Factors Delaying Background Screening Times | 2012-06-26. Security Magazine. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from <https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/83240-7-factors-delaying-background-screening-times>
8 Egli, A. (2021, July 15). Top 5 reasons criminal background screening reports are delayed. Reference Services. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from <https://www.referenceservices.com/blog/top-5-reasons-criminal-background-screening-reports-are-delayed/>
9 Home. (n.d.). Indeed Home Depot Background Check. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from <https://www.indeed.com/cmp/The-Home-Depot/faq/if-you-failed-your-drug-test-at-home-depot-would-they-still-be-doing-a-background-check?quid=1e1rs0vnkhc27800>
10 Ensuring People with Convictions Have a Fair Chance to Work. (n.d.). National Employment Law Project. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from <https://www.nelp.org/campaign/ensuring-fair-chance-to-work/>
11 Griffiths, G. (2020, September 23). 7 Tips for Ensuring You Pass Employment Background Checks. Firsthand. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from <https://firsthand.co/blogs/job-search/how-to-ensure-you-pass-employment-background-checks>
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